Sacramento State proved that no lead is safe, not matter how large it is.

Even after the Hornets scored seven runs in the first four innings, they were once again forced to use the bullpen after nearly giving up the lead in a 7-5 win over Texas State University, Saturday afternoon.

“We were hoping not to have to use the bullpen,” said Sac State head coach Reggie Christiansen. “They need a break.”

During the last five games, the Hornets bullpen has pitched 18 innings anchored by freshman Sutter McLoughlin and seniors Brandon Creel and Tyler Hoelzen.

Creel said the bullpen does a good job keeping its pitchers fresh, and the amount of innings he has thrown lately does not bother him. He has made four appearances in the last five games with his most recent happening today when he recorded a double play in the eighth inning to get out of a bases-loaded jam.

“That double play ball by Creel really changed the game,” Christiansen said. 

McLoughlin also pitched his second game in a row and gave up a run in the ninth inning, but held on to record his seventh save of the season. 

“Our guys out of the bullpen weren’t as good today, but we hung on for this win,” Christiansen said. “They got the job done.”

The Hornets offense started the game where they left off yesterday as they recorded seven runs on 10 hits in the first four innings.

Redshirt freshman Chris Lewis singled in senior second baseman Andrew Ayers to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. 

Lewis finished the game batting a perfect 4-4 with four singles and two RBIs. 

Since the first game of the season, Lewis has been the everyday designated hitter and has proved everyone including his coach wrong about not belonging in the starting lineup.

“I had no idea he was going to do what he has done,” Christiansen said. “I even told him  to go to junior college, but he told me he wasn’t going anywhere.”

In his first 31 games as a Hornet, Lewis has batted a team-best .339 with two home runs and 25 RBIs. 

“I’ve never been the one to quit,” Lewis said. “I have just kept working hard and it definitely feels good (to succeed).”

In the third inning, junior left fielder Justin Higley increased Sac State’s lead to 5-0 when he launched a three-run home run over the right field wall for his fourth of the season.

“It felt really good,” Higley said. “He threw me a couple of sliders and I knew (Texas State’s pitcher) was going to challenge me with the fastball. I was ready for it.”

The Hornets scored two more runs in the fourth inning to increase their lead to 7-0 to mark the eighth time this season that they have scored more than six runs in a game.

Sac State returns for the finale of their series with the Bobcats today at John Smith Field when they send Brennan Leitao to the mound. 

First pitch is at noon.

Ryan can be reached on Twitter at @rskuhn